Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, etc. - Human foresight, even in the followers of Christ, is very short. In a thousand instances, if we supply not its deficiency by faith, we shall be always embarrassed, and often miserable. This world is a desert, where nothing can be found to satisfy the soul of man, but the salvation which Christ has procured. read more
They did all eat, and were filled - Εχορτασθησαν - they were satisfied. The husks of worldly pleasures may fill the man, but cannot satisfy the soul. A man may eat, and not be satisfied: it is the interest therefore of every follower of Christ to follow him till he be fed, and to feed on him till he be satisfied. read more
Four thousand - Let the poor learn from these miracles to trust in God for support. Whatever his ordinary providence denies, his miraculous power will supply. read more
Verse 32 Matthew 15:32.I have compassion on the multitude. Here a miracle is related not unlike another which we have lately explained. The only difference is, that on the former occasion Christ satisfied five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, while, on the present occasion,four thousand men are fed with seven loaves and a few small fishes; and that twelve baskets were then filled with fragments, while out of a greater abundance a smaller portion is left. Let us learn from this,... read more
Verse 33 33.Whence shall we obtain so many loaves in a solitary place? The disciples manifest excessive stupidity in not remembering, at least, that earlier proof of the power and grace of Christ, which they might have applied to the case in hand. As if they had never seen any thing of the same sort, they forget to apply to him for relief. There is not a day on which a similar indifference does not steal upon us; and we ought to be the more careful not to allow our minds to be drawn away from... read more
Healing of the sick, and feeding of the four thousand. read more
The return. I. THE JOURNEY . 1 . The Lord leaves the borders of Tyre. He had sojourned for a short time in this heathen land. He had wrought one mighty miracle; one heathen woman had shown a strangely energetic and persevering faith—a faith that we Christians may well covet earnestly. Surely some heathen souls—two at least, one would think—must have been drawn to Christ and to salvation by that work of love and power. They may, perhaps, have been among the little company who,... read more
Feeding of the four thousand. Matthew puts side by side with miracles of healing this miracle of feeding the four thousand, as if inviting us to read them in the light they reflect upon each other. 1 . The first point of contrast is that, while the healing originated in the desire of the multitude who sought our Lord's help, the feeding originated with him, he being the first to notice the faint looks of many of the people. It were much to receive at Christ's hand all we ask for;... read more
Called his disciples unto him. Seeing the necessities of the multitude, Jesus, as it were, takes his disciples into council, treating them not as servants, but as friends. They were doubtless dispersed among the crowd, and Jesus summons them around him, and puts before them the special point to which his attention is turned. Thus he tries their faith, and shows that there were no human means available for feeding these famishing people. Thus God, so to speak, takes Abraham into his... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 15:32
I have compassion, etc. - See a similar transaction explained, Matthew 14:14-22 ; (note). read more